Tucked away in the Northeast corner of Flint, Michigan, lies Agony on Alcott. A terrifying traditional-style home haunt that is Flint’s only haunted house, making it a must-stop if you’re in the area. This is Agony’s second year of operation, and it’s clear to us that they are making a significant impact in the area. This haunt speaks to our DIY hearts and proves that if you put your mind to something and have the love and support of family and friends, anything is possible in the world of haunts. Be sure to watch out for the things that lie in the shadows of Agony on Alcott, and if you’re not careful, you might find yourself running for your life.
When it comes to home haunts, the cast can be hit or miss, and in Agony’s case, the cast is 100% a hit. Filled to the brim with actors, you feel as if no matter which way you look, you are being approached by another monster. We enjoyed that the entire family and family friends were involved, from young kids to older adults, each full of energy and excited to deliver that next scare. Seeing such young kids involved makes us excited for the future of this fantastic industry.
The way Agony on Alcott is built, the actors can utilize the space to its full potential, with many being able to provide scares in not only one but two or even three different areas of the attraction. From silent creeps to loud in-your-face creatures, we encountered all kinds within the walls of Agony on Alcott.
Not only do we encounter classic characters like Michael Myers and Pennywise, but we also cross paths with some terrifying monsters fabricated straight from the darkest parts of your imagination. While a few characters wore full costumes, many others wore basic street clothes.
Relying heavily on masks, we did not encounter anyone with makeup. However, we felt like they were actual characters and something truly menacing was behind the masks. Keep your eyes peeled for the antique doll and the duo of crazy clowns that call this place home.
Agony on Alcott is located off the beaten path but is situated only 6-10 minutes from I-69. Maps had no issues getting us to where we needed to be. Upon arrival, we found that they offered parking in their front yard, as well as on the road, which was lined with cars.
The property was well-lit and easy to navigate, with no hazards that we could see (you will find out why this was a good thing later!). At the ticket booth, prices and rules were clearly posted and easily readable. Everyone we encountered was friendly, greeted us with a smile, and was happy to help answer any questions we had. Agony offers a covered and heated queue line area, which was a pleasant surprise since it was a bit chilly and rainy the night we visited. In the queue line area, the rules were posted again. All the information for Agony on Alcott can easily be found on their Facebook page.
In the queue line, there were a few spooky decorations, and you could hear the screams of victims as they found their way through the attraction. When we were next in line, we had some confusion about when to enter, as there was no one there to direct us. This took away from the spooky vibe. When our creepy tour guide showed himself, we were pulled right back into the horrifying experience that is Agony on Alcott.
Although there was no storyline for Agony on Alcott, and at times it was hard to stay immersed with the surroundings being constructed of tents, it did not take away from this traditional-style home haunt, and, of course, the real reason why we were there… To get scared and run for our lives! After exiting, you spit out right where you began, left wondering if the whole thing was just part of your imagination, or something straight from one of your worst nightmares.
Agony utilizes many large subwoofers and speakers that play spooky sounds to create a disorienting experience that you can feel. While Agony on Alcott mainly relies on cast, they do have a few animatronics scattered within the haunt. They were strategically placed in key areas and timed to create intense scares. While some of the scenes were detailed, others lacked context in the area, leaving us wanting more. With that being said, we feel they did a great job considering it was just their second year in operation. One section that stood out the most was the area with the swaying bridge. The mixture of fog lasers and the moving bridge created an excellent sensory effect.
21. How scary was it? (35% of score): 7
22. How well did they provide scares to everyone in the group? (15% of score): 8
23. How predictable were the scares? (25% of score): 7.75
24. How well did they provide a wide variety (types) of scares? (10% of score): 6.5
25. How strong was the ending / finale? (15% of score): 9
Although Agony on Alcott had a few animatronics to provide scares, the genuine scares came from the cast. You’d better run as fast as you can because once they smell fear, they will SWARM! Attacking from each direction, nowhere is safe. From jump scares and intimidation to suspense and distractions, these are just a few scare tactics used throughout Agony on Alcott.
That uncomfortable feeling you get when you think there’s someone behind you becomes a reality at Agony. When you finally convince yourself it’s just your imagination, and that there’s nobody there, Boom! There are five! Even though this haunt only took a few minutes to maneuver through, it packed a considerable punch. Around every corner, a new beast waits to strike.
From the madman brushing your back with his chainsaw as you’re running for your life, to the devilish children hiding in the shadows, grabbing at your ankles. Or the menacing clown wreaking havoc in the queue line, that seems to follow you to the very end, you’ll find that no place is safe.
It took just 4 minutes to venture through the horrific halls of Agony on Alcott, with a $10 entrance fee that yields an MPD (Minutes Per Dollar) of 0.4. While this is on the lower end of the MPD scale, we found that it was not something that should deter you from this fantastic home haunt. With the number of actors and scares, your visit to Agony on Alcott feels a lot longer, and we are not the only ones who feel this way. Agony has a perfect score of 5 stars with multiple reviews on both Google and Facebook, proving that they are doing something right.
Talking with the owner, the goal was to provide a haunted attraction in Flint after the only few in the area closed a few years ago, all while not breaking the bank. He believes that a family of five should be able to enjoy something like Agony on Alcott and still afford pizza for the family afterwards. We are here to say they are succeeding in it; everyone we listened to who came out of Agony on Alcott all said the same thing. It was well worth the money, and they will undoubtedly be back next year.
As we mentioned earlier, this is only Agony’s second year in operation on Alcott, and with the following that they have built in just these two years, we are excited to see what they have in store for years to come.
3049 Alcott Ave, Flint, Michigan 48506
